Staying Cyber-Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Scott Jones

This is a challenging time for Canadians and Canadian businesses. For many people, the phrase “work from home” has become synonymous with the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, new COVID-19 work arrangements combined with online threats related to the crisis are increasing the need to practise good cybersecurity.

When you work in an office setting, you benefit from the security measures that your organization has in place to protect its networks, systems, devices, and information from cyber threats. Working remotely generally provides employees with flexibility and convenience. However, remote work can raise risks if employees are using personal laptops, tablets, and phones that aren’t subject to the same good security measures.

The good news is that even basic cyber hygiene can be effective in mitigating some of today’s nastiest cyber threats. Canadians should feel secure working from home, without compromising information technology security. As we continue working in an unpredictable environment, there are important tips we must follow.

A few key actions can make a big difference:

Practise good password etiquette Accept updates to your mobile devices, computers, and applications

Secure your social media and email accounts

Be on guard for phishing (and spear-phishing) messages

Store your data securely and know your back-up procedures

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security is Canada’s authority on cybersecurity. It publishes advice and guidance, including about the importance of security awareness training for employees, and how to create robust incident response plans for organizations.

Before you determine if you would like to set up a virtual private network (VPN), host video teleconferences, or allow your employees to work remotely, you should understand the threats and set yourself up for success. Visit cyber.gc.ca for a list of alerts and advisories, including those regarding critical vulnerability patches.

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security is here to help protect you and your organization from cyber threats. Canadians need to be on top of their cybersecurity.

Basic cyber hygiene can be effective in mitigating some of today’s nastiest cyber threats. Canadians should feel secure working from home, without compromising information technology security.

Scott Jones Head, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

This article was sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.